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HGVs, coaches and lorries could pay up to £100. Whether any charges will apply to motorbikes has yet to be decided.

The charge is likely to apply seven days a week, and at all times, although this could yet be subject to change.

A network of automatic number plate recognition cameras will be set up along the ring road to enforce the zone.

Council Labour cabinet member for transport Waseem Zaffar said that the Clean Air Zone is about reducing pollution to safe levels.

“We want to give the people of Birmingham the fundamental right of breathing good quality clean air,” he said.

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“Nine hundred deaths are accelerated each year as a result of air pollution. That’s not the city I want my child, or any children across the city, growing up in.”

He said it was not a congestion charge designed to reduce traffic jams but a clean air zone designed to stop the worst polluting cars.

“Ideally, we don’t want any cars coming through the city centre after 2020 to be fined, but rather to be a compliant vehicle,” he added.

The council has been set a deadline of 2020 to bring pollution down to legally safe levels and must submit its plans to Government at the end of this summer.

If levels of dangerous particulates and nitrogen dioxide do not dramatically fall by 2020, the council could face a fine of up to £60 miilion.

The council insists that it will listen to concerns, including those from business and the taxi trade, during the consultation and consider them as long as the resulting plan meets air quality targets.

But Councillor Zaffar warned that they would not be able to mitigate all impacts on business.

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How many vehicles will face charges?

According to council research, about 200,000 vehicles travel into or through the city centre on an average day and about 45 per cent of those are not compliant with air quality standards and will be charged.

Cars travelling on the A4540 will not be charged, only those going within the zone.

Transport policy manager David Harris said they had no income target, just the aim of cutting pollution levels.

Traffic in Birmingham City centre as the new one way system started for the development of Paradise Circus.

It means that if all heavy polluting cars and vehicles stay away there would be a shortfall, or if people pay up and drive a surplus. Any surplus will be invested in public transport or other measures to cut pollution.

He said a full business case was being drawn up.

And the charge is likely to be daily and apply for seven days a week. Although this could be subject to change.

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Where exactly is the zone?

It is to include the area inside the Middle Ring Road (A4540) although not the ring road itself.

The area inside the Middle Ring Road (A4540) highlighted in green. The proposed area for a new clean air zone (CAZ) surrounding Birmingham city centre, under which vehicles responsible for pollution will be charged.

It would include these areas:

Ashted Circus

Lawley Middleway

Garrison Circus

Watery Lane Middleway

Bordesley Circus

Bordesley Middleway

Camp Hill Circus

Highgate Middleway

Haden Circus

Belgrave Middleway

Belgrave Interchange

Lee Bank Middleway

Islington Row Middleway

Five Way Island

Ladywood Middleway

Ladywood Circus

Icknield Street

Heaton Street, a road which connects the A4540 to Hockley Circus and the junction with the A41

How do I find out if my car will be charged?

A network of automatic number plate recognition cameras will be set up along the ring road to enforce the clean air zone.

Public transport investment

The council is planning more bus lanes to speed up journey times and encourage more people to use the buses.

There will also be a network of live signs to inform motorists.

Cllr Zaffar said: "There has to be a modal shift to get people out of theirs cars, get more people walking, cycling and you can see cycle projects being built on A34 and A38 now, and most importantly getting them a connected, accessible, good quality and affordable public transport."